Robert Morris (1-6 / 1-1) @ No. 25 Bryant (5-1 / 1-0) Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Bulldog Stadium (4,400) - Smithfield, R.I.
Radio: ESPN 970 AM (Chris Shovlin - play-by-play & Spencer Kowitz - color) Audio on the internet at: www.970espn.com / Live Video: www.necfrontrow.com Top Story - The Robert Morris University football team makes its longest conference trip of the season this Saturday, Oct. 25, as it continues NEC play by facing Bryant at Bulldog Stadium at 1:00 p.m. RMU rallied for a thrilling victory over Central Connecticut State last week as it scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to claim a win that came down to the game’s final play. The Bulldogs entered the national rankings for the second time this season this week after winning their NEC opener by 15 points on the road a week ago. After RMU’s last-second victory, three Colonials were bestowed weekly honors with Hunter Khaleghi (special teams), Nic Lamica (rookie) and Forrest Mason (defense) each winning the first such award of their careers. With a catch this week, senior Duane Mitchell would tie the Robert Morris record for consecutive games with a reception as he has he enters the weekend having caught a pass in each of the past 29 games RMU has played. After the long trip, Robert Morris will enjoy its final bye before returning home for back-to-back games against a pair of NEC foes, beginning with Wagner. Quick Stat of the Afternoon - Last week against Central Connecticut State, Robert Morris trailed 17-6 at the half and then fell behind 24-6 early in the third quarter after the Blue Devils scored on the opening drive of the half. At that point, CCSU had not committed a turnover and had accrued 281 yards of total offense compared to RMU’s total of 180. However, RMU rallied by scoring the game’s final 21 points. Robert Morris forced turnovers on three of the Blue Devils’ next four drives, with the lone exception being a three-and-out. Meanwhile, the RMU offense scored on four consecutive possessions to give the Colonials the lead. Robert Morris finished +2 in turnovers and ended the game leading in total yards after trailing by more than 100 earlier in the half as the Colonials held CCSU to 59 yards of offense in the final 29 minutes of play. And that is how RMU posted the largest come-from-behind win (18 points) in program history. Saturday's Opponent - Bryant is the current conference foe that RMU has played the least with the Bulldogs joining the league in 2009. The Bulldogs had the Colonials’ number, winning each of the first five games in the series, until last year when RMU posted a 24-3 victory with a stout defensive effort, including two interceptions by cornerback Antwan Eddie. Each of the last four RMU losses to Bryant has been a one-possession game. That includes RMU’s last game at Bryant, a three-point setback that featured seven lead changes. For more information on the all-time series against Bryant, including the last game recap, please see page four of today’s game notes. On This Date (Oct. 25) in Robert Morris Football History - Robert Morris has played three previous times on October 25 and has come away with a win each time. All three of these victories came in conference contests, two of which were on the road and two of which were against Wagner. RMU won two of the games by at least 21 points, but its closest outing on this date came in 2003 in what was Wagner’s final visit to Moon Stadium. Drew Geyer’s (2002-05) two first-half touchdown passes gave RMU a 13-9 lead at the break, but Wagner rallied to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. The Colonials pulled ahead once more only to see the Seahawks tie the game on the ensuing kickoff return with under three minutes left. RMU had the last laugh as Nate DiLorenzo (2003-06) hit a 22-yard field goal with five seconds left to lift the hosts to a 31-28 win. Geyer threw for 277 yards and three scores while Sam Dorsett (1999-2003) rushed for 113 and a TD. Three different Colonials tallied interceptions on the sunny afternoon.
2014 Schedule Aug. 28 Sept. 6 Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 8 Nov. 15 Nov. 22
EASTERN KENTUCKY @ North Dakota @ Lafayette @ Dayton MONMOUTH # @ Sacred Heart * CENTRAL CONN. STATE * @ Bryant * WAGNER * SAINT FRANCIS * $ @ Duquesne *
L, 10-29 L, 13-16 L, 3-50 L, 7-31 L, 20-51 L, 13-52 W, 27-24 1 p.m. Noon Noon Noon
* NEC game; # Homecoming; $ Senior Day
Colonials At A Glance Starters Returning / Lost ......................... 10 / 14 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 5 / 6 Defensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 3 / 8 Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 2 / 0 Letterwinners Returning / Lost ............. 20 / 30 Offensive Starters Returning / Lost ........... 5 / 6 LG - Max Robertson .......................... 6-3, 305, Jr. C - Nick Faraci ................................... 6-1, 285, Sr. RT - Jon Hill ................................... 6-4, 290, R-Sr. FB - Ryan Thermil ............................. 5-9, 235, Sr. WR - Duane Mitchell ........................ 6-1, 205, Sr. Defensive Starters Returning / Lost .......... 3 / 8 DE - Forrest Mason ........................... 6-2, 275, Sr. OLB - Mike Stojkovic ....................... 6-2, 220, Sr. CB - Antwan Eddie .......................... 5-10, 180, Sr. Specialist Starters Returning / Lost ........... 2 / 0 PK - Connor Shennan ....................... 6-2, 195, So. P - Tony LaMancusa ........................ 5-10, 195, Sr.
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